Mumbai: Laboratory technicians, radiology technicians, plaster technicians and other paramedics, who assist doctors in hospitals and laboratories, will soon require a bachelors degree in paramedical technology or a diploma in medical lab technology to be on the job. In an attempt to improve the quality of healthcare, the upcoming Maharashtra Paramedical Council Act makes it mandatory for the paramedics to be qualified.
15,000 laboratories
“There are over 15,000 laboratories across the state. Some of them are run by doctors, while many are even run by quacks. Due to this, erroneous medical reports have become very common. Often, doctors have to re-send blood or urine samples for tests. Eventually, the pressure comes on patients,” said Dr. Pravin Shingare, head of Directorate of Medical Education and Research.
According to Dr. Shingare, the Act is in the final stage and a gazette notification will be issued within next month.
Once in place, the Act will require an eight-member council to be formed. Every laboratory will be registered under the council. Also, all technicians will have to be registered under the council after they fulfil the qualification criteria as well.
Existing technicians
However, a question mark remains over the large number of existing technicians, many of whom are not even graduates. “We are devising ways to accommodate all the existing technicians. They will get experience-based licence. For example, an under-qualified lab technician, who is only a Standard X or XI pass may be asked only to assist in testing blood sugar or an X-ray technician will be allowed only to carry out X-rays of certain body and they will be granted licence. We will also offer short-term courses so that some technicians can acquire additional skills,” said Dr. Shingare, adding that the new ones will, however, require the three-year bachelors degree to get the licence.
The State aims that in the first two years of the council, at least 10,000 paramedics will be registered. Later on, the council will be formed through election. “Also, those who do not register their laboratories and paramedics who do not get registered will stand to face three years imprisonment and fine. We will issue timely advertisements about the same,” he said.
Welcome move
But many pathologists feel that the government is simply trying to pave the way for technicians to start their own laboratories under the garb of the paramedical Bill. “It is a welcome move by the government to regularise paramedical staff. But we feel that the government is simply trying to make way for the technicians to start their own outlets,” said Dr. Prasad Kulkarni, executive member of Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists. “There are already existing illegal laboratories run by such technicians. How would the government deal with these bogus laboratories?” Dr. Shingare, however, allayed the concerns. “The paramedical staff are always to assist. They can’t ever take the place of a doctor. I don’t know what is the fear all about.”
Who are they?
A paramedic is a person trained in providing services ancillary to, or required as assistance in the teaching or practice of modern scientific medicine, ayurvedic system, unani system, and homoeopathic system of medicine.
There are 21 paramedic professions identified under the Act including laboratory technicians, radiographic technicians, radiotherapy, cardiology, neurology, blood transfusion, optometry, plaster, anaesthesia, perfusionist, and operation theatre technicians.
